Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Dream Home | A Treasure Beach gem

Published:Sunday | May 22, 2022 | 12:07 AMBarry Rattray - Contributor
There is nothing quite like taking a shower outdoors.
There is nothing quite like taking a shower outdoors.
The sound of the waves in bedrooms acts as a sleeping pill.
The sound of the waves in bedrooms acts as a sleeping pill.
An outside view of this Treasure Beach dream house.
An outside view of this Treasure Beach dream house.
This house is beyond your wildest dreams.
This house is beyond your wildest dreams.

Believe your eyes as you walk on transparent glass over rocks in bathroom floor.
Believe your eyes as you walk on transparent glass over rocks in bathroom floor.
Soak in the sea views from this outside tub.
Soak in the sea views from this outside tub.
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We have just crossed over into the realm of the unknown – daring to venture outside the boundaries of our imagination in search of undiscovered dream house architecture beyond our wildest fantasies.

It is in the mystifying sphere that we chance upon this sensationally strange beachfront dwelling of the norm–defying appearance that rejects the ordinary, predictable, and boring.

How about visualising yourself, family, and friends making a splash in a one-of-a-kind, two-level, double vanishing-edge (infinity) swimming pool, with one section floating above the other. Or availing oneself of open-air showers, a timber sundeck, the revitalising hot tub, and a separate outside soaking tub, the outdoor bar, barbeque grill, rattan-covered garden dining area, the private beach cove with cabana, and fire pit with cosy sunken seating for cold night get-togethers.

Can you picture yourself walking on unbreakable, transparent glass floors over rocks in bathrooms? Wow! Other areas are cement-based floor coating. Look at the coloured wine bottles sunken in interior walls for maximum ornamental effect, or river stones, mosaic tiles, along with seashells, creating intricate patterns of embellishment on various indoor/outdoor surfaces. The dominant colour, turquoise, is of limewash material, much cheaper than regular paint.

The substantial use of recycled lumber, twigs (thin branches from trees), driftwood (wood washed ashore), and thatched roofing, collaborate to orchestrate that rustic vibe. Custom-designed furniture is of choice, locally handcrafted teak, guango, cedar, and driftwood. Some ceilings are of blue mahoe wood.

The floor plan, under the watchful eye of the all-surrounding sea, includes six bedrooms with en suite bathrooms; living, and dining areas; a kitchen (with concrete counters and guango cabinets); a games room (with bar); a private gym (with steam shower); balconies and terraces.

Interestingly, the free-spirited tropical space is sustainably designed to pay homage to and harmonise with the natural environment, right down to its seductive, physically curved lines, because nature has no straight lines or sharp corners. Other ecologically friendly features incorporate rainwater harvesting, recycling greywater for irrigation, and solar and wind-generated alternate power systems.

This seemingly primitive-looking house, at first sight, is very much forward-looking with its technology. It is artfully conceived and executed in a simple, barefoot luxurious style – a haven for relaxation.

Its geographic location coordinates will navigate you in the offbeat direction of Calabash Bay, Treasure Beach, and St Elizabeth – somewhere between delight and more delight.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com